Organizations make big investments in Additive Manufacturing. AM machines, new materials, experts in AM processes, testing, analysis, and simulation – no expense is spared. These costs feel justified in the light of the benefits that AM can bring – parts that can be printed-to-order, new lightweight components with previously unachievable shapes, or reduced manufacturing lead times.

But, there is one aspect we might be forgetting. Will anyone think of the data? Specifically, are we investing enough into managing the complex data created from our AM projects and, if we do, are we thinking about it early enough?

If you haven’t been involved in a material information management project, you might think it’s only of interest to materials engineers.

However, the work involved in having a single, organized source of materials information creates benefits that spread far wider than just the engineering department. In fact, the advantages go right to the top of the chain and help address the key goals of a business.

Here are 10 ways that materials information management benefit the entire company and make your Chief Executive happy.

Can users of today’s advanced simulation methods for Automotive still learn from sentiments expressed 150 years ago?

On two occasions I have been asked, “Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?” … I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question.

So said Charles Babbage, widely considered the father of the computer, way back in 1864. He was obviously right – but are we still guilty of the confusion he identifies?

Southern Texas is the hub of the US’ supply of speciality chemicals and petrochemicals; the basis of plastics used to manufacture everything from water bottles to pill coatings. So, when Storm Harvey hit the Gulf Coast in 2017, companies within the US and worldwide were affected. For example, the close of company Arkema alone resulted in the loss of supply of 50% of the US’ supply of ethylene and polyethylene, and 40% of its chloralkaline and polyvinyl chloride.

When the availability of materials can be cut drastically short at a moment’s notice, how can companies be prepared to respond?